Covid-19: Rise in demand for precaution doses in Pune

PUNE: Fears of a fourth Covid-19 wave have spurred demand for precaution doses over a few days, city private hospitals said on Saturday.
Dr Madhav Chavan, MD of Phoenix Hospital, said, "Demand, for now, is up by just 5-10%, but we anticipate a rise in the next month as more from the 18-plus groups become eligible for booster shots. Dr Vijay Natarajan, CEO, of Symbiosis University Hospital and Research Centre, Lavale, said, "Recent reports of an increase in cases, in parts of India, is triggering an increase in demand for precaution doses."

"We were administering close to 15-20 precaution doses per day. That has gone up to 35-50," he said. Dr Shilpa V, GM (operations) at Jehangir Hospital, said enquiries for boosters have increased, especially from corporates. She said, "We expect to vaccinate at least 400 employees of companies daily over the next few days. Vaccination for 18-44 age group started last May and many from this age group are expected to complete the nine-month interval after second Covishield dose in June."
On precaution-dose coverage in 60-plus age group, state immunisation officer Dr Sachin Desai said nearly 16.11 lakh from this group have so far taken the shot in Maharashtra. He said, "That's over 75% of total beneficiaries due for precaution doses up till May 27."